2024 House Resolution 202

Whereas, It was with great sorrow that the members of the House of Representatives learned about the passing of Gary Glenn after a prolonged and inspiring battle with cancer. He will be remembered as a dedicated public servant for his work both inside and outside the state Capitol by his constituents in Bay and Midland counties and the people of the state of Michigan; and

Whereas, Born and raised in North Carolina, Gary Glenn actively participated in scouting and sports in his formative years. He was an Eagle Scout and would later become the father of four Eagle Scouts, and he played football and ran track in both high school and college; and

Whereas, Gary Glenn earned his Bachelor of Arts in political science from Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, North Carolina, graduating with honors in 1981; and

Whereas, Before graduation, Gary Glenn was hired as executive director of the Idaho Freedom to Work Committee. In addition to his time in Idaho, he worked for the National Right to Work Committee, and was a founding board member of the Michigan Freedom to Work coalition; and

Whereas, Gary Glenn enlisted in the United States Army Reserve during the buildup to the Persian Gulf War in 1990. He served eight years in the Reserve and Army National Guard and earned the rank of sergeant; and

Whereas, Gary Glenn moved to Michigan in 1998 to serve as president of School Choice YES, promoting the Mackinac Center for Public Policy’s Universal Tuition Tax Credit proposal; and

Whereas, In the years to follow, Gary Glenn became president of the American Family Association of Michigan, where he worked tirelessly on their 2004 ballot measure; and

Whereas, In 2014 he was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives. Named the majority vice chair of the Committee on Energy Policy in the 98th Legislature, he quickly made a name for himself, being named the Freshman Legislator of the Year by MIRS in recognition of his leadership on energy issues; and

Whereas, In 2016, Gary Glenn was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. This diagnosis did not deter his service, however. He maintained a perfect attendance record and even expanded his leadership role in the 99th Legislature, when he was named chair of the Committee on Energy Policy and elected Associate Speaker Pro Tempore; and

Whereas, Gary Glenn was a devoted and caring family man. In 1983, he married his loving wife, Annette, and they had five children and nine grandchildren. His loving family was by his side throughout his career and offered him especially poignant support during his illness, with Annette succeeding him in the House of Representatives; and

Whereas, Upon Gary Glenn’s passing, we offer our condolences to his loved ones. His commitment to the causes he believed in, and his determination to continue his service during his courageous battle with cancer, are an inspiration to this chamber and the state of Michigan; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we offer this expression of our highest tribute to honor the memory of Gary Richard Glenn, a member of the House of Representatives from 2015 to 2018; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Glenn family as evidence of our lasting esteem for his memory.